Yong, G., Matile-Ferrero, D., & Peeters, C. 2019 Rhopalomastix is only the second ant genus known to live with armoured scale insects (Diaspididae). Insectes Sociaux https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-019-00686-z
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Notes: Twelve colonies of four species of Rhopalomastix were sampled from seven tree genera in Singapore. Ants chewed tunnels under live bark, and these were occupied by many diaspidids belonging to five genera; at least two species are known to also live freely on the outside of trees. Inside ant nests, only a few diaspidids secreted their trademark shields. The association with the pupillarial Fiorinia is unexpected
